Aisin Gioro Winery — Zujiafang

Aisin Gioro Zujiafang Winery is located 5 kilometres south of the scenic Caihu Lake Tourist Area. Ancient wells deliver sweet spring water; rustic cottages feature mud walls; yeast fragrance drifts everywhere. One deep breath fills your lungs with rich wine aroma, and a sip of spring water tastes fresh and crisp. This family has passed down wine-making techniques for generations and is honoured as the No.1 Manchu Distillery.

As an old saying goes: Fine wine always comes from sweet spring water; good water yields superior liquor. The well used for brewing has a recorded history of more than one thousand years according to local county annals. Geological experts have verified that its water contains abundant minerals and trace elements, with a constant temperature of 8 degrees Celsius all year round. Blessed with water from this millennium-old well plus time-honored ancestral brewing techniques, the liquor produced here is mellow and rich. Walking into the winery is like stepping into an aromatic sanctuary.

All grains are local farm produce: broomcorn millet, foxtail millet, sticky sorghum and coix seed are grown on mountain slopes without chemical fertilizers or pesticides. Villagers have cultivated these crops year after year exclusively for wine brewing, forming a unique eco-friendly industrial cycle. Tucked deep among mountains, the distillery preserves intact ancient craft. Mud fermentation pits, yeast cultivation, spring starter making and autumn brewing are strictly followed. Stone mortars, stone rollers, stone mills, stone distilling cauldrons and statues of wine gods all witness this simple, authentic brewing culture.

Fine aged liquor also requires special storage. We use large wicker vats known as Jiuhai (Wine Sea). The inner walls are lined with more than 300 layers of bark paper sealed with lime, floral clay and egg white. Each vat takes a full year to finish. Every Wine Sea holds liquor of different vintages, clearly marked with labels on the seal. Small vats hold 90 tons, and the largest ones reach 165 tons. Liquor aged inside develops layered aromas of blossoms, yeast and pear fruit. Liquor brewed by ancient methods sells well in South Korea, Japan, Singapore and other countries, and has been named a Classic Brand of Chinese Wine Culture.

Tracing back the family roots, the Zujia clan were hereditary winemakers. Original land deeds, ancestral horizontal inscribed boards, unearthed distiller’s grains and old horse troughs all testify to the winery’s long history. Well-preserved land documents prove this was once a Manchu settlement. In ancient times, poor transportation made round trips difficult for wine carriers, so the clan ran a free inn for travellers. Worn horse troughs reveal heavy passenger traffic back then. Production was disrupted and halted during the Cultural Revolution. After the reform and opening-up, the family applied to the government to reclaim the original site and reopen the distillery. When digging new cellars during reconstruction, workers uncovered ancient fermentation pits. The aged distiller’s grains exuded a sweet perfume pear flavour. Unaware of their value at that time, locals fed them to horses and donkeys. Today we realize these were precious relics, yet they are long gone.

A tall crow memorial pole stands in the centre of the courtyard. It is an important Manchu cultural symbol erected by Nurhaci to commemorate crows that once saved his life. Grain and fresh water are placed on the pole all year round to honour sacred crows. In the courtyard rises the Nine-Dragon Screen, symbolising the nine dragon sons each possessing unique divine power. Only three such screens exist nationwide: one in Datong, Shanxi, one at Beihai Park in Beijing, and this third one here in Northeast China, built on a smaller scale than the imperial versions.

The ancient pine tree here is known as the Arhat Pine. Legend holds that an Arhat monk named it when passing by more than 200 years ago. An ancient bronze bell hangs on its branches, inscribed with records dating back to the Guangxu reign of the Qing Dynasty, proving this distillery was already famous far and wide in that era.

Mud fermentation pits, stone steaming cauldrons, wooden cooling barrels and the bark paper workshop for lining Wine Seas all radiate the charm of traditional craftsmanship. The technique has been filed for National Intangible Cultural Heritage status. Aisin Gioro Enterprise has earned numerous honours: Classic Wine Culture Brand awarded by the Ministry of Culture, High-Quality Chinese Product, Shenyang AAA Credit Enterprise, and Metrology-Certified Enterprise.

Immerse yourself in Manchu charm and ancient distilling art. Witness time-honored techniques and taste mellow vintage liquor. It brings pure joy, refined pleasure, and elevates your taste for wine and personal character. As a wine culture experience base within the Caihu Lake Scenic Area, Zujiafang has won widespread popularity among tourists.